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Prince 'smitten with singer'

The pop star pulled the 22-year-old out from relative obscurity after discovering her on YouTube two years ago and asking her to accompany him on tour in Australia.

But according to UK newspaper The Mirror, the pair's relationship isn't strictly professional.

Sources describe Prince, 55, as 'smitten' with the ingenue.

'Delilah is talented and gorgeous and it's little wonder Prince is so smitten with her. They have always been close but things have moved on recently,' the insider said.

The singer, real name Paloma Stoeker, was last seen Monday night attending Prince's performance at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London, alongside stars including Michelle Rodriguez, Cara Delevingne and Rita Ora.

A spokesperson for Prince has meanwhile declined to confirm or deny the pair are more than friends, saying only: 'Delilah is a friend of everyone in the band and everyone loves spending time with her.'

Delilah first gushed about her budding friendship with the Purple Rain hitmaker in 2012, describing him as 'perfectly down to earth'.

'Prince called and said he was a fan of my work and invited me on tour. It was amazing,' she said at the time, adding, 'We hung out together. He's a lovely person and we get along.'

The Mirror reports Prince is next expected to perform two secret gigs in Manchester on Friday and Saturday.